End the kickoff with three things: a shared understanding of success criteria, clear next steps for the first sprint, and agreement on how the team will communicate.
Strong answers cover: defining project vision and objectives, roles and responsibilities (RACI), timeline and milestones, communication plan, risk identification, decision-making process, and team norms. The right attendees include the project team, key stakeholders, and the sponsor. Best candidates make kickoffs engaging, not just administrative.
Fundamental PM skill. A bad kickoff sets the tone for a troubled project. Look for preparation, inclusivity, and focus on alignment rather than just information dumping.